president obama will be sworn in using one of martin luther king's bibles. this day is not expected to spark the huge, unprecedented crowds we saw in 2009. but it's not going to be small. hundreds of thousands are expected to turn out to kick off this historic weekend. as washington gears up for the nation's biggest party, people from all around the country are arriving, ready to celebrate. >> it's just one of those things i think you should do. and it's one of the things -- it's on my -- on the bucket list. >> we believe that he does hold the promise for the future and wanted to be part of it. so we came all the way from california. >> reporter: dress rehearsals commenced while crews fanned out across the city to put on the finishing touches, covering the mall to protect it from the big crowds. and getting the d.c. convention center in shape for monday's two inaugural balls, down from ten last time. still organizers say with as many as 40,000 expected, the night will be monumental. >> this inaugural is not just a celebration of the president but a celebrati